So, I'm getting a loud squeal from the back wheels, especially when warm, while backing up.  Parking brake is off and it doesn't matter if the service brakes are applied or not.  The car also won't roll backwards down a slight grade (in neutral) as expected either.  No squeal or resistance in the forward direction.  Parking brake works as it should in all other aspects.  Could this (pretty please) just be easily corrected by adjusting the center adjustment on the parking brake?  I really don't want to dig into back brakes right at the moment.  I've read too many posts from some of you guys talking about parking brakes - sounds like too much fun for me right now.  

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You can try to loosen the adjustment on the cable in the center of the car, but it may not do any good. It sounds more like a spring, or retainer has come loose on the P brake on one side.
You can adjust the p-brake shoes by removing the wheel/tire. On the hub, there is a small hole for adjusting the brake, much like on regular drum brakes...only smaller.
Can you jack it up in the back, and spin the tires backwards, and if so, can you determine which side has the problem?

Also, make sure there is nothing rubbing anywhere...like a wheel on the rear spring, or the p-brake cable bracket on the sides of the t-arms.

(spelchek...my a$$...)


|UPDATED|9/19/2012 9:50:36 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Yep, I think you're right, Joel, thanks.  It's definitely driver's side and there is a slight rattling sound inside the rotor that makes me think something came loose.  I had both rears jacked up just now and I did some experimenting.  There never seems to be too much drag when rotating the wheel forward, but there is definitely more drag rotating it backward.  And after having applied the P-brake and releasing it, and then trying to roll the wheel backward is when I get the LOUD squeal.  If I rotate it forward a bunch first, the drag and squeal lessen, but don't go away.  If I get the squeal tomorrow backing out of the driveway I'll go forward a few times and see if it gets better.  So does this sound like it's just not releasing properly on that wheel?  Is it normal for it to act as if it's not releasing for backward rotation, but not forward?  

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It is prolly a broken, or loose return spring, or something else that would allow the rear shoe to move rearward & apply with the car in reverse. Just gotta get in there and have a look-see, unfortunately. 

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"